I reach down and tilt her chin up. “We’re going to figure this out, all of it.” It suddenly dawns on me that I never gave Claire a choice in any of this. What if this isn’t what she wants? To be with me? To risk everything and help me with this elaborate plan to evade a man that tried to kill me.
I’d do all of this again if it meant setting Billy free from Franklin’s claws. But just because I’m willing to take insane chances doesn’t mean Claire is, and I shouldn’t assume this is what she wants.
“What’s wrong?” Claire grips my hand tighter.
It’s like she can see straight through me and into my soul.
One thing I always promised myself was that I would put Claire first, and the only way I can do that is by allowing her to make her own decision in this matter, even if it fucking kills me. “You’re allowed to walk away.”
She squints her brows. “What?”
“If this is too much. I’d understand if you didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.”
Claire pulls her hand away. “Are you trying to break up with me?”
“No.” I reach for her but stop myself. “I’m just making sure you know you have a choice. That you’re not forced to be here. And I wouldn’t be mad at you if you’ve changed your mind. About any of this.”
It rips my heart apart to open that theoretical door, but it would hurt me, even more, to not give her the option. I will never force myself—or this fucked-up situation—on her. After everything she’s been through, she deserves much better, and I refuse to stand in her way. If Claire is going to stay, it’s going to beherdecision, not anyone else’s.
“Do you want me here?” There’s a slight hesitation behind her voice, like she might actually believe otherwise.
“You know I do, but I needyouto be sure. This isn’t up to me.” Because at the end of the day, I care more about Claire than I do myself.
Claire weaves her fingers around mine and stares at me intensely. “I’m not going anywhere, not without you.”
I should stop her. I should say no. I should tell her the risks over and over again until she realizes how insane all of this is. I should convince her that she isn’t safe and that she should run far away from me. But I can’t. I’m too weak to let her go. I’ve never needed anything like I need Claire.
I clear my throat. “Then it’s settled, we do this. And we do it together.”
There’s so much left to plan. Like how to get out of the hospital without anyone noticing. Arranging medical care on our trip across the country. Getting everyone that will be involved on board with lying about my death and pulling off a believable funeral. I’ll have to get my stuff from my place, plus all the cash stashed all over my house. I’ll need a fake I.D. and a new alias to go by. Luckily, people are highly motivated by money, and with the excess I have, making this plan work might actually be possible.
I’ll have to find us a place to live and secure us some kind of permanent transportation once we’re done with Beth’s car. Most of all, I have to do everything in my power to stay alive and keep Claire safe.
I’ve never traveled outside of my home state, but what better time to start than now? It’s completely irrational, but it’s the only thing I can think of to slip from Franklin’s grasp. He’s made it clear that he will stop at nothing to make sure I’m finished. Maybe if he truly believes I’m dead, he’ll forget I ever existed and move on with his fucked-up life.
I will jump from this ledge, Claire’s hand in mine, ready to dive headfirst into what I hope to be a fresh new beginning.